07 Nov 2010 - Pewsey Vale (H)

Two weeks after being beaten by Pewsey Vale, that same team returned to Ballards Ash for the eagerly awaited NWD Cup fixture which saw both teams playing the 11-a-side format of the game on a full sized pitch for the first time.

In the opening minutes of the game, Bassett impressed with how they adapted to the new 4-4-2 formation, keeping a good line at the back, and the midfield linking well with the attack. On 5 minutes Bassett created their first chance when a clearance from defence by Lewis, found Zach who slipped a neat ball into the path of Ollie. Taking the ball on the run, Ollie's shot went narrowly wide of the post.

A few moments later Bassett created another chance following a series of throw-ins. Zach, collecting a lose ball, cutting in from the wing but unfortunately the shot didn't test the Pewsey keeper again. A minute later Pewsey created their first chance of the game but the danger was averted by the very impressive debutant Edward who calmly shepherded the ball back to Conor who had come of his line to collect. Pewsey started to build some pressure but two consecutive corners were well dealt with by Ollie who headed clear twice from at the front post.

The standard of passing football from both teams was very impressive. On 12 minutes Lewis took the ball out of defence and passed inside the Pewsey left back for Declan Coffey to run onto. Declan's low cross was cleared for a corner as both Bassett strikers look primed to pounce.

From the corner Pewsey broke and quickly moved the ball diagonally across field from left to right wing. A missed tackle gave the Pewsey winger time to shoot which produced the save of the match by Conor as he dived to his right and pushed the ball wide of the post for a corner.

Some superb football by Bassett saw Lachlan win the ball in midfield and pass to Declan Cox. Declan in turn found Zach who again shot narrowly wide. This was the last chance Bassett created in the first half as Pewsey finished the stronger team. The first scare came when Bassett tried to move the ball out of defence but a mis-control meant the ball fell to a Pewsey player, his shot going straight at Conor who made a comfortable save. In a similar circumstance, Bassett failed to clear the ball again but the shot went just over the bar on this occasion. As half time approached, a dangerous situation was averted when an excellent covering tackle by Charlie, stopped a 2-on-1 situation.

Half-time: 0-0

If the end of the first half belonged to Pewsey, the start of the second was Bassett's. Firstly Declan Coffey worked hard down the right, sent over a cross which was cleared back to him. Declan hit a first time shot which was pushed up and onto the roof of the net by the Pewsey keeper. Another attack soon after saw Zach run half the length of the pitch, cut in from the left, his shot requiring another fine save by the Pewsey keeper to keep the scores level.

More pressure was created as Declan Coffey ran tirelessly down the right wing firstly shooting just a yard wide and then crossing to Declan Cox but again the ball went wide of the upright.

Pewsey were not out of it and had two attacks but luckily for Bassett the first saw a header go wide and the second produced a brave 1-on-1 save by Conor who came quickly off his line to block the advancing striker.

With ten minutes left to play Bassett were awarded a free kick half way inside the Pewsey half. With the ball going to come out of the sun, Bassett loaded the Pewsey box with the big lads from the back. Lachlan's kick sailed into the area, found Aston, whose shot ricocheted off a team mate and fell at the feet of Ollie. Ollie's first time shot found the corner of the net to make it 1-0 Bassett.

Pewsey went in search of an equaliser but their next attack was stopped by Matthew and then the lose ball was cleared from danger by Edward. As the whistle approached Bassett created one last chance when a Lachlan corner fell to James, his shot being averted away from goal by a brave defender's head.

Full-time: 1-0

Coach's Match Analysis: An excellent win over a very good Pewsey Vale was achieved by a superb team performance. The 12 players can all be proud of the effort, skill, commitment and most pleasing team work they put in for the whole game. It's easy to forget this was our first 11 a-side game and well the team adapted to it. Well done to all 12 players but a special mention goes to Edward who deserved his player of the match award with a brilliant debut.

Player of the Match: Calm, assured and magnificent in the tackle, today's POTM award goes to debutant Edward Fish.

Team: Conor Chivers, Charlie Poynter, Lewis Ward (Capt.), Oliver Cameron, James Evans, Matthew Nichols, Edward Fish, Declan Coffey, Declan Cox, Zach Bunce, Lachlan Beggs, Aston Fear

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:39